Bradford Bulls blow Catalans away in historic 28-10 Super League homecoming
The bradford bulls produced an emphatic 28-10 victory over Catalans Dragons in their first Super League home match in 12 years at Odsal Stadium, a result that combined clinical finishing in the first half with enough defensive grit to withstand a second-half fightback.
Bradford Bulls first-half dominance sets the tone
The hosts built a commanding 24-0 lead by half-time through a sequence of three converted tries and three penalty goals. Andy Ackers opened the scoring after Joe Mellor kept a move alive that allowed Ackers to power over from close range. Rowan Milnes punished Catalans' errors with early penalty goals, adding pressure and scoreboard momentum.
Waqa Blake stretched the advantage after a swift team move from right to left, and Caleb Aekins finished a line break that further extended the lead. By the interval, Milnes had contributed multiple goal kicks to put the Bulls in a dominant position heading into the break.
Second-half threats and closing moments
Catalans responded in the second half with quickfire tries from Solomona Faataape and Toby Sexton that briefly threatened to swing momentum. Video referee interventions also played a part in the ebb and flow: a potential Dragons score was ruled no-try on the line, and another Catalans effort was disallowed after review.
Waqa Blake’s second try just after the hour mark restored a comfortable cushion and ultimately secured the famous win for the hosts. While the Bulls were described as sloppy with ball possession in the second half, defensive resilience and fitness helped them turn Catalans away and close out the victory.
Scoring summary and key contributors
- Final score: Bradford Bulls 28-10 Catalans Dragons
- Tries: Ackers, Blake, Aekins
- Goals/Place kicks: Rowan Milnes (six goal contributions, including penalties)
- Catalans second-half tries: Faataape, Sexton
Commercial momentum and matchday atmosphere
Off the field, the club announced a new commercial partnership with Curti Lifts for the upcoming Super League season, a collaboration that will include branding on the club's new LED pitchside boards starting with the Catalans fixture. The bradford bulls also renewed an existing arrangement with Expect Distribution, who will continue as the season-long match ball sponsor, maintaining a visible matchday tradition.
Matchday entertainment included a live performance from local rappers, and organisers expected a healthy crowd for the long-awaited top-flight return at Odsal, adding to the sense of occasion around the victory.
What this result means and what to watch next
The win provides a landmark start to the Bulls' latest Super League campaign on home soil, delivering both a morale boost and tangible evidence of the squad's attacking and defensive capabilities. Key areas to monitor going forward include ball security in the second half and maintaining the defensive intensity that closed out this match. Commercially, new and renewed partnerships suggest the club is planning sustained off-field growth alongside its on-field ambitions.
